Food Encyclopedia

rotary beater

A hand-powered kitchen utensil with two beaters connected to a gear-driven wheel with a handle—all of which is attached to a housing topped with a handle-grip. The rotary beater requires two hands to operate—one to hold the unit, the other to turn the wheel. As the gear-driven wheel is turned, the two beaters rotate, providing aeration that can whip cream, eggs, batters, etc. The best rotary beaters have rounded, stainless-steel hoops and nylon gears. Others are made of cast aluminum, chromed steel or plastic.